As Jesus passed by Mary on the road to Calvary, no words could ever describe her sorrow. Yet, she remained firm in faith, accepting the will of the Father, for through her “fiat,” salvation has entered the world.
Today, we reflect on the story of Manolita “Lita” Apa, a 67-year-old mother who lost her son, Marvin, at an early age.
When Lita gave birth to Marvin, the doctors and nurses found that he was suffering a rare case where his digestive tubes were not connected, thus causing him to expel any food intake. She drowned in sorrow in anticipation of the medical expenses and the uncertainty of the time she has with her son.
“Pwerte gyung lisura, kay og way kwarta, di gyud mahimo. Grabe og gasto kanang iyang mga gamit, mopalit mi og suction machine katong NGT niya sa ilong, every week ilisan. Naa man to siya’y foley catheter diri sa tiyan kay ari man i-agi nako ang iyang pagkaon. Unya mahal kaayo to kay ilisanan pud permi. Dili man to pwede og dili ilisan kay usahay mobuto ang balloon didto sa ilawm nya moawas,” narrates Lita some struggles as she cared for her sick son.
But she remained firm in hope and faith, trusting that He would grant her son’s healing in body and spirit. Her service to the Church greatly assisted her in dealing with grief when her son succumbed to the disease. Every time his memory passes her thoughts, she could only cry to appease the pain.
“Basta kay pagbuot na gyud sa Ginoo, wa gyud tay mahimo. Mao’ng ampo lang gyud, isalig Niya ang tanan,” she said.
Like Manolita, let us turn our daily crosses — our inconveniences and worries — into moments of personal encounters with the Lord.